Ladies and gentlemen.
Today we are officially launching the Human Rights Month Programme of the Gauteng Government.
As all of us would know – Sharpeville is the site that symbolises both the struggles of the ordinary people, our loss and triumphs in the course of pursuing the battle for human rights.
The commemoration of this day is among others, to celebrate human rights for all, to honour the country’s fallen heroes and heroines who fought and resisted the then apartheid government’s unjust pass laws and to highlight the importance of upholding fundamental human values and rights, as underpinned by our country’s Constitution which was signed into law by the then President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, in Sharpeville in 1996.
In remembering those who have fallen before us we are also making a pledge that under our watch and that of generations that will come after us such atrocities and violations of human rights will never be repeated.
The struggles waged by ordinary people as they sought to re affirm our collective liberation are also a testimony of the many tasks that still lie ahead for us. The 1960 march was a peaceful protest aimed at raising awareness about the injustices that black Africans were subjected to. The fact that it was peaceful carried with it a powerful symbolism.
Historical milestones
This year’s Human Rights Month coincides with many historical milestones which must be remembered and these include the following historical events:
- The 100 years since the Apartheid regime promulgated the 1913 Land Act, which represents the historic dispossession of Africans and indigenous people of this country of their land. The effects of this dispossession are still present in today’s South Africa, where a minority of the population still owns the vast tracts of land despite the efforts our government is making in an attempt to reverse this sad apartheid legacy. There is still therefore a long way to go before the people of this country can enjoy the fruits of the 1994 democratic breakthrough.
- 2013 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the First meeting of the Special Committee on the Policies of Apartheid of the Government of the Republic of South Africa at the United Nations. It was later renamed the “Special Committee against Apartheid.
- In the same connection, 2013 also marks the 50th anniversary of the famous speech by the late Mama Mirriam Makeba on 16 July 1963, at the United Nations at the sitting of the Special Committee on Apartheid in 1963.
- In 1963, she testified against Apartheid before the United Nations (UN). In a powerful, Harry Belafonte-aided speech, (that ultimately lead to the South African government revoking her citizenship and right to return to South Africa), Mama Makeba put the spotlight on the in-humanity of the South African government.
- One important bi-product of Mama Makeba's speech was that it also shed light on the denial of civil rights to Blacks in America at the time. Mama delivered this historic speech on the 16 July 1963.
- 2013 represents a critical epoch in the history of the South African Liberation struggle because it also marks the 40th anniversary of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid approved by the General Assembly (Resolution 3068(XXVIII)). The convention came into force on 18 July 1976. The Convention, passed in November 1963, is also known as the Apartheid Convention.
Human rights month and Human Rights Day are essentially about keeping the nation engaged about the challenges we face and the strides we are making to overcome decades of the legacy of underdevelopment.
It is vital that we keep the consciousness high so that all of us share a common understanding about the tasks we must discharge with regard to our human rights and the responsibilities thereof.
In expressing ourselves we have seen the tendency by certain sections of the population acting without regard to the rights of others. The violence that has characterised protests in our country should be a cause for concern for all of us. We cannot allow a climate where citizens live in fear of each because some are not sure what the other will do.
In dealing with this matter we will have to employ a combination of law enforcement and education generally about the need to respect the rights of others. The destruction of property and other public amenities such as libraries is not acceptable and actually contributes to an act of hampering service delivery. This year’s commemoration will see a number of activities take place in the province of Gauteng, mainly centred around the Sharpville area.
The following will be the events:
- Sharpeville Theatre Production
- Half marathon
- Imbawula Story Telling through the media
- Cleaning of graves
- Choral Music Festival
- School Debates (Finals)
- Human Rights Day Rally & Wreath Laying at the Monument & Service Delivery Expo
- Ahmed Kathrada Memorial Lecture
- Puisano Jazz Festival (Puisano)
The events will seek to consolidate our drive to raise the levels of social cohesion, foster greater unity and nation building. We are making a call to all South Africans to join us not just in celebration and commemoration but also in a discourse about our collective future as a people.
